Meet Your Mardi Gras DJs: David Morales

VITAL STATS

NAME: David Morales PARTY: "I'll be playing the Hordern at the Mardi Gras Party." SOUND: "Fun, Sexy, Energetic."

This year's Mardi Gras theme is "Passion." Tell us something you're passionate about that might surprise us.I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT COOKING AND MOVIES. ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT TRAVELLING IS EATING DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD.

Tell us about your first Mardi Gras experience.

MY FIRST MARDI GRAS EXPERIENCE WAS 2 YEARS AGO ON THE HARBOUR. IT WAS AMAZING, EVEN IN THE RAIN.

How do you prepare a set?I NEVER PREPARE FOR A SET. I JUST GO WITH THE MOMENT. I'M NOT A LIVE ACT PER SE.

What track can't you get enough of right now?I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF MY REWORK OF SADE'S "SHELTER ME" IT'S SO SEXY AND EMOTIONAL.What artist would we be most shocked to find on your iPod?HMMM WHAT ARTIST.... KISS "I WAS MADE FOR LOVING YOU"

What's your wildest onstage memory?MY WILDEST ON STAGE EXPERIENCE WAS HAVING A TRANSEXUAL LIFT UP HER DRESS AND TOUCH HERSELF.

Mardi Gras is a celebration of diversity and pride. What should the gay community be most proud of?THEY SHOULD BE PROUD OF HOW FAR THE STRUGGLE HAS COME AND EVEN THOUGH MORE DOORS ARE OPENING AS FAR AS ACCEPTANCE GOES WITH LEGAL MARRIAGES AND ALL THINGS CAN BE BETTER.

Your industry has experienced such an evolution the last few years. What are both the best and worst changes you've witnessed?FOR ONE, THE TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY FOR POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE REASONS. THE WORST IS THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A DJ AND A PRODUCER. SO WE HAVE ALOT OF BOTH UNFORTUNATELY. TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE IT WHERE A "DUMMY" CAN PRESS A BUTTON AND PLAY.

Punters always have requests for DJs. What special requests do you have for your Mardi Gras audience?COME WITH A MUSICAL OPEN MIND. LEAVE YOUR TROUBLES BEHIND.

David is playing a special Mardi Gras Party set in tribute to his friend and Def Mix collaborator, the late Frankie Knuckles. Frankie was a regular visitor to Australia, having headlined Mardi Gras in the past and even releasing a Mardi Gras compilation CD. This will be a fitting tribute from one legendary DJ to another. Take a listen to this preview.